Wednesday, 9 September 2015

PAP, Opposition ‘must be judged by same standards’ says Shanmugam

Applying double standards to Opposition spurs different breed of politicians, says ShanmugamBy Tan Weizhen, TODAY, 9 Sep 2015It is crucial that Singaporeans apply the same standards to all politicians, whether they are from the People’s Action Party (PAP) or the Opposition, because the Republic’s political system with honest policies and politicians has steered Singapore in overcoming severe challenges over the past 50 years, said Foreign Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam last night.Speaking at a PAP rally for Nee Soon Group Representation Constituency (GRC) at Yishun Stadium last night, he said that in order for Singapore to thrive, the country needs politicians who are honest, propose responsible and sensible policies, and have integrity. “If, however, Singaporeans apply a different standard to everyone other than the PAP, then you encourage a different breed of politicians who will draw strength from your support, and more people will see that these are the ways to get into politics and succeed in politics.”

PAP's Shanmugam on other parties
"SDP wants Tharman to split from PAP and form coalition like the PKR in Malaysia. That will destroy the political stability that has been the very foundation of our success": Shanmugam. "The SDP and Workers Party suggestions lead to the same conclusion: A change in the values that has made Singapore special, a change from requiring competence and unity in political leadership." #GE2015FULL RECAP: http://bit.ly/paprallysep8
Posted by Channel NewsAsia Singapore on Tuesday, September 8, 2015

The first question that voters need to ask, pointed out Mr Shanmugam, is the track record of a politician and his party. Next, voters should ask which party they support, why, and what they have offered in this General Election, he said.

The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), for instance, has expressed its desire that Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam split from the PAP and form a coalition with the Opposition. “That will destroy the political stability that has been the very foundation of our success,” said Mr Shanmugam, who is the PAP’s anchor minister for Nee Soon GRC.

Turning to the Workers’ Party (WP), Mr Shanmugam also criticised its Hougang candidate Png Eng Huat for citing the military coup in Thailand to say that if the PAP were to lose power one day, Singapore would not collapse as it has a good civil service which can help run the country.

“Their suggestions lead to the same conclusion: A change in the values that has made Singapore special, a change from requiring competence and unity in political leadership and a change from the stability we have had,” said Mr Shanmugam.He then attacked the WP on three areas of its track record: Its performance in Parliament, its management of Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council and its approach to questions and transparency.The WP’s contributions in Parliament have not been meaningful, while there are many “unanswered questions” on the town council issue and the WP avoids answering questions, said Mr Shanmugam.

“They believe that these are the ways in which one wins votes. Keep quiet in Parliament, roar at rallies without regard to what is the truth,” he added. “For Singaporeans, the question is, ‘Is this the kind of politics you want?’ It is not a case of saying, ‘Oh, it’s okay, it’s only one more seat or a few more seats or 28 more seats’. It is a question of the type of politicians you encourage. Do you want this culture to spread?”